Meet Agne Balciene | Family, newborn and kids portrait photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Agne Balciene and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Agne, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wasn’t one of those people who woke up one morning with a passion for becoming a professional photographer. My journey took a long path. It all began about nine years ago when I was living in Switzerland and my daughter was born. Like all mothers, I wanted to capture everything related to my child. I photographed my daughter for our family album —her smiles, first steps, and drawings. Later, I started photographing nature, animals, and people in the city and at events. I did this consistently, but all the photos I kept for myself. Almost five years ago, when my family and I moved to the USA, I wanted to share our experiences with family and friends back in Europe. So, I began posting my photos on my personal Facebook account. People who saw my photos liked them and kept asking if I pursued photography professionally or if I could photograph them. That was the beginning of my journey in this business. I started learning photography techniques, attending courses, and photographing even more, constantly pushing myself to improve. My passion lies in family photography, capturing the smiles of newborns, and creating children’s portraits. Every day, I desire to make my clients feel what I see through the lens of my camera.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart as a family photographer is capturing the emotions, connections, and stories of each family. This is equally important as photo quality, technical expertise, or pre-session communication. Imagine receiving your family photo today: what value will it hold in ten, twenty years? The warm hugs and children running around – these are worth remembering! Choosing the right place is important, whether it’s the park where parents first met or the backyard where children play with their family pets. People’s reviews and returns for future photoshoots motivate me the most. That’s the greatest and best appreciation. My journey to becoming a professional photographer began as a personal passion, capturing precious moments of my own family. However, becoming a professional requires much more effort. I invest time in photography courses, seminars, and mentorship programs to improve my skills. Speaking of the biggest challenges, I could mention that marketing and contract preparation were not my strongest skills. In the past, I used to rush, wanting everything fast. Starting on this career path made me realize that everything has its time and place. Waiting for the right moment is necessary in both photography and life. I want the world to know that I build my brand on a love for capturing family moments. My story is a journey to turn a personal passion into a thriving profession. Through my work, I aim to bring joy and memories to families. My brand is more than just photography; it’s the history of emotions.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My family and I love to travel, and the Los Angeles area is rich with beautiful places and delicious food. We would definitely head to the beach town, Ventura, Malibu, or Santa Monica. Along the coastline, we’d drive all the way to Laguna Beach. Then, San Diego. There, on Italy Street, we would enjoy the most delicious pizza! We would go hiking in the Los Angeles National Forest and camp near Silverwood Lake. We’d also explore Big Bear and Arrowhead.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Of course, I’m grateful to many people and circumstances for being where I am! Firstly, to my husband, who gifted me my first camera and constantly supports my dreams and passion. To my daughter for her posing skills and assistance in creating projects. To my friends for encouraging me to start my own business. And, of course, to my clients for trusting in my vision.

Website: https://agnephoto.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agnephoto/

Other: https://agnephoto.mypixieset.com/